China Glaze

The One With the St. Patrick's Day Glitter Gradient

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Happy St. Patrick's Day, Polished World!  Hope you all are wearing your green today!  I wanted to have more designs for you this year, but time got away from me.  The amazingly awesome news though, my nails are finally longer, just in time for some Easter and Spring nail art!  I couldn't be happier.  Also, it's gardening season.  Sure, it's still cold here and we probably will get one more snow storm, but this weekend and next, I'm going to start my seeds!  It feels like just yesterday I was planting my seedlings for the year.  Time really flies, doesn't it?

Today's design is VERY simple for me.  It's not that I was uninspired when it came to St. Patrick's Day this year, I just didn't want to go crazy.  Very weird for me, I know, but something was just pushing me towards the simple.  The simple that I went with was a wonderfully green glitter gradient that I absolutely adored.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • China Glaze - Grinchworthy
While this is a Christmas polish, it is BEYOND perfect for St. Patrick's Day.  I'm not going to lie, I have yet to use this polish for a Christmas themed manicure.  To me it's just more of a spring green, and obviously St. Patrick's Day.  I absolutely love how it looks over the black.  It transferred from the makeup sponge to the nail like a dream.  I didn't have to fill in any blank patches, the green was super pigmented and showed up on the black base, and it perfectly blended from opaque to barely there.  The perfect glitter gradient.


So now that I've done a glitter gradient with something other than silver or gold, I'm kind of hooked.  I want to do this with purple, and pink, and every single glitter I own.  I need to figure out if I have any more bright glitters like this to try the look with.

What do you think?  Fan of this design?

Hope everyone has a safe, and happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Until next time, <3.


China Glaze

The One With the Gold Snowflakes

9:00:00 AM


Good morning Polished World!  How are you all doing today?  Welcome to another Saturday!  This is actually my first Saturday off in a while and I couldn't be happier.  I shouldn't say anything because I'm going to jinx it and end up at work.  At least my nails are painted, unlike that one weekend that  I was called in and went in with naked nails.  First time in about 6 years since that's happened.

Today's nail art is by far one of my favorite designs that I've ever created.  I saw a similar design on Pinterst and knew I had to re-create it.  Now, you know me, I'm not a fan of gold, but this manicure wouldn't have looked right with silver.  Plus, in the past when I've created gold and white nail art, I've always fallen in love with the look.  Something about those two shades together just works.  This manicure is no exception.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • ORLY - White Tips
  • China Glaze - Merry Whatever
  • China Glaze - Big Hair and Bubbly
  • Faby - Panic on Wall Street
Fitting that the gold base under all that glitter is Faby "Panic on Wall Street" seeing as there was literally panic on wall street this week.  But this isn't a blog about stocks, we are here about the nail art.  Let's talk about this Faby Nail Lacquer.  I received these polishes a few years ago and used them a few times.  I'm not even sure if the company is still around, but if they are you should check them out.  This gold polish is amazing.  Two coats and you have a fabulous shimmery gold base.  When it was dried, I went through and added the two China Glaze glitters to make it really pop.

The Faby polish was perfect for nail art.  I used it with a toothpick to create the snowflake on my ring finger and thumb.  Some polishes drag, get goopy, or just are not workable for nail art, but this wasn't the case.  I'm starting to picture what other gold designs I can use it for in the future.  Oooo, maybe a waterfall design like I did on the last manicure I posted.


Best part - the glitter gradient on my index and pinkie finger.  I told you I'm low key obsessed with the glitter gradient, especially since I mastered them in the past few months.  For this one, I first used Merry Whatever as it was a finer glitter, then went through with Big Hair and Bubbly to add some random larger flecks.  Both polishes sponged on perfectly.

Saddest thing about this manicure, it only lasted two days because I am at the bottom of my white polish and it's not applying right anymore.

What do you think?  Fan of this design?  Like the gold and white?

Until next time, <3.


Dot Mani

The One With the Holographic Gradient Accent Nail

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose 


Good morning Polished World, and welcome to 2021!  I'm happy to see 2020 leave, but let's face it the years are only what you make of them.  I look back on 2020 and despite all the hardships, I'm very grateful for the year.  Sure, with my line of work I could look and be all woe is me and hate on 2020, but I'm not going to.  That's not going to get me or any of us anywhere if we choose to look at the negative.  So let's all go into 2021 looking at only the positives and how the negatives were just there to help us grow.

Today's post is a draft from before Christmas.  I did it shortly after Halloween as a palate cleanser from all the orange, greens, and purples.  You can never go wrong with mint and silver holographics.  Plus a glitter gradient?  This manicure is simple and perfect.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Jessica Cosmetics - Flower Crown
  • ORLY - White Tips
  • ILNP - Mega X
Isn't this gorgeous?  I love how Mega X looks over White Tips.  In my last post, I used ILNP Versailles for a glitter gradient and it worked just as wonderfully.  I'm on a gradient kick because the design I painted last night has the Mega X gradient again.  You'll see that post in a few days.  I just think it's the perfect accent to any manicure.


Flower Crown is one of my favorite polishes.  It applies perfectly in two coats.  You technically could get away with one coat of this beauty, but you know me, I have to have at least two.  I've tried going the one coat route, but it feels like my nails are still naked.  Is that weird?  I feel that's weird.

What do you think?  Fan of this look? 

Until next time, <3.

Christmas

The One With the Buffalo Plaid and Holly

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing on this fine Sunday morning?  Yesterday it poured all day then turned to a very, heavy, wet snow.  While I hate the heavy, wet snow, I am hoping this means we are on our way to a white Christmas.  Nothing is prettier than Christmas lights underneath some white, fluffy snow.

Today's manicure is a new one for me.  Usually each Christmas I re-create past designs, but I can safely say that I have never once attempted this design.  Okay, the holly I've done, but this combination....all new.  I was scrolling through Pinterest for some inspiration and found this design and fell in love.  I then decided to start researching how to do a free hand buffalo plaid, practiced a bit, and then attempted the design.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • OPI - The Spy Who Loved Me
  • China Glaze - Big Hair and Bubbly
  • China Glaze - Merry Whatever
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl
Look at that buffalo plaid print!!!  All free hand using acrylics!  I am super impressed with how straight my lines are and how perfect the boxes are.  I couldn't stop staring at them!  I also had the print on my thumb, which looked even better than my ring finger.  Most certainly going to re-create this design next year.



I also have to say that my holly is probably one of the best that I've ever done as well.  Every year I do a holly design but the leaves never turn out looking right.  These were perfect.  Had nice little definition and fit along the nail bed.

What do you think?  Fan of this manicure?  Love it as much as I do?

Until next time, <3.

Glitter Gradient

The One With My Fall-ish Thanksgiving Glitter Gradient

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world! How are you all doing on this Wednesday before Thanksgiving?  We are in a bit of a heat wave here, but we are expecting another wind storm which is going to bring us some frigid cold temperatures for Thanksgiving.  Saying a prayer and crossing my fingers that I do not end up with some weird illness due to this weather.  I really don't want to have a sinus infection anytime soon.

Today's manicure is my Thanksgiving manicure.  Rather simple for me, but I wasn't feeling like turkey's or any other random crazy nail art that I've done in the past. I was scrolling pinterest and was coming across dozens of glitter gradients.  It's been a hot minute since I've done a glitter gradient, so I gave it another go.  Happy that I did because I'm really loving it!

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Pure Ice - Studette
  • Zoya - Louise
  • Zoya - Taylor
  • Sinful Colors - Pandora
  • Some other gold and red glitter Sinful Colors.....the label fell off
As you know from my other posts over the years, this is not a color pallette I typically would wear, so this is EXTREMELY out of my comfort zone.  Can't say that I hate it.  It's actually kind of refreshing.  I like how all these colors go with my skin tone.  Maybe they're wrong, but I didn't think so in person.



I'm rather proud of my glitter gradient.  I'm hit or miss when I attempt this, and it's safe to say this is a home run.  They always look so ugly before you put the top coat on, and I think that's why I always think I fail at doing them.  The sponge leaves rough spots because you're transferring some of the glitter base when dabbing on the glitter.  I used to take this as a failed glitter gradient and would remove it.  Luckily I learned last year when I did one that this is what was occuring.

What do you think of this manicure?  Should I attempt more glitter gradients?  Am I going to remember what a pain glitter is to remove and totally give up on the idea come Christmas time?

Speaking of Christmas....time to get started on the red and green manicures!!!  In the meantime, I hope everyone has a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!

Until next time, <3.

China Glaze

The One With the Glittery Tipped Snowflake Manicure

9:00:00 AM


Hey polished world and Happy Sunday to you all!  I meant to have a post up yesterday but my Friday was crazy as crazy can be.  I worked an eleven hour day, which didn't stop when I got home.  So really, you could say I worked 12 hours.  Which let's face it, no one wants to do that on a Friday.  Although, I will say I didn't mind being indoors for all those hours because it was only about 19 degrees outside on Friday.

So, remember last post how I said I'm feeling all things snowflake since it finally feels like winter?  Well, today I'm bringing you another snowflake manicure!  This one is inspired by one NailStorming did and I fell in love with.  A gorgeous silver sponged glittery tip with snowflakes drawn over the top.  While I like the manicure, I still think her's is better.

We will let you be the judge though. Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • INM - Northern Lights
  • OPI - This Crown Needs a Gown
  • China Glaze - Disco Ball Drop
Alright, it's kind of grown on me since I did it the other night.  I did love the gradient I did using This Crown Needs a Gown and Disco Ball Drop.  This Crown Needs a Gown is one of my all time favorite silver polishes and I really wish OPI would re-release it.  It's such a shimmery metallic silver polish that has the most gorgeous satin finish.  If anyone has any idea where I can grab more bottles, let me know!

Once I had the sponged silver on the nail, I then went through and added Disco Ball Drop.  The pictures didn't capture this gorgeous glitter, but in real life my nails are sparkling thanks to this holographic silver glitter!  I'm not going to lie, I completely forgot I owned this polish.  I'm going to have to put it on top of everything so I never forget about it again.



After the gradient was just how I liked it, I went through with acrylics and added the snowflakes.  I love the white flakes, but I feel like the blue is a little out of place.  NailStorming did pink snowflakes on hers, and I'm not a huge pink fan, so that's why I opted for blue.  Also, I felt that blue was more winter-like.  I think if I were to re-create this design, I would only do white snowflakes or an even lighter blue.

What do you think?  Should I have not gone with blue?

Until next time, you know....when I probably have another snowflake manicure to share with you. <3.


Flowers

The One With the Fall Floral Manicure That I Forgot to Post for Thanksgiving

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  I forgot to get this post up on the blog for Thanksgiving.  Life got in the way, and then I tried to post it on Black Friday, but then my shopping got in the way.  Yes, that's right, I kind of shopped til I dropped, which is something I never do on Black Friday.  I blame the whole invention of the internet because I did 90% of my shopping online.  Oh well, this is why I have a job, right?  To spend all the money!

One thing I am proud about is that I didn't purchase a single polish.  Crazy, right? It's mainly because I'm really working hard at going through all my untried polishes.  For today's post I used Cashmere Crisis from the ORLY New Neutral collection . It was the perfect accent color to my Thanksgiving/Fall manicure!

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • ORLY - Cashmere Crisis
  • INM - Acai
  • Pure Ice - Studette
Cute, right?  I did a design similar to this a few years ago (maybe it was last year), but this year I'm so much more impressed with this years version!  I really can see how I've grown with my nail art with the little sunflower and the leave.  Look at that blending!



Cashmere Crisis was a gorgeous neutral polish which applied perfectly in two coats.  I love it because it's a darker neutral polish which I feel my collection is severely lacking.  I really didn't think I was going to like the ORLY fall collection, but I've been plesantly surprised.

What do you think?  Like this look?  Fan of that glitter gradient?

Until next time, <3.


China Glaze

The One With the Snowflakes and Zoya Normani

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  Tuesday is here, winter is here, and Christmas is right around the corner.  My next post I swear is going to be Christmas themed!  Until then, I'm sharing with you another snowflake manicure.

After seeing this manicure on Pinterest, I wanted to re-create it.  I loved the color combination and the little snowflake accent.  Since I don't have the vinyls that the girl used in that photo, I free-handed my snowflakes and did them a tad differently.

Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • Zoya - Normani
  • China Glaze - Bring on the Bubbly
  • FingerPaints - Sea Temptress
  • INM - Northern Lights
Now, I have owned FingerPaints Sea Temptress for I don't know how long.  I have purged the other three from the collection, but kept this one for some odd reason.  These polishes are oddly textured with hex glitters to create the texture.  I never knew when I would use this polish, but when I purged the others I decided to keep it thinking that someday I would find a use for it.  And today was that day.  I use done coat over a white polish and it looked like snow!  It applied evenly with a very nice pearl-y white finish.  The bumps made it look snow-like.



You can see the texture and pearl look better in this photo.  I think it was a great accent for this design.  Zoya Normani is also a great base color.  Two coats and full coverage.  Beautiful on it's own, but even more gorgeous when you add a top coat of INM Northern Lights! 

What do you think?  Fan of this design?  Something you would try??

Until next time, <3.

FingerPaints

The One With the Thanksgiving Mani and INM Polishes

9:00:00 AM


Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!  How are you all doing today?  I love Thanksgiving because let's face it, out of all the holidays the food is the best.  Especially come Friday when you have all the Thanksgiving leftovers.

This year, I didn't do a turkey manicure, instead I did a floral/Fall manicure inspired by Sensationails4U on Instagram.  As I mentioned the other day, I received a packaged from INM containing some of their new OTD nail polishes.  Two of them were perfect for this manicure.

Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • INM OTD Lacquer - Acai
  • INM OTD Lacquer - Flapper
  • FingerPaints - Wrapped in Ribbon
  • Acrylics
Guys, I mastered the glitter gradient!  I am so proud of myself!  I have always shied away from doing glitter gradients because I've never been able to figure them out.  It's always too concentrated and it makes it look like half my nail is glitter and there is no smooth transition.  Maybe it's the wonderful FingerPaints Wrapped in Ribbon which made this possible, but it's just perfect.  I painted a little onto a make up sponge, dabbed it on a paper plate, then onto the nail.  It applied perfectly the first time and didn't even have to add extra!



I used Flapper in my leopard manicure I posted a few days ago.  Loved it as a nail art polish, and love it even more as a base.  Two coats and I had full coverage.  Just like my OTD top coat, this polish dried super fast.  No need to wait a long time before starting my nail art!


Acai is a gorgeous polish.  While it looks black, it is not.  It is a deep, gorgeous, red brown polish.  I'm assuming it's the color of an acai berry, but I've never had one so I can't really be 100% sure.  Two coats on this beauty as well.  I found this one to have more of a crelly formula instead of the cream like Flapper.  I absolutely adored this polish.  I just realized you can see the reflection of my tshirt in the bottle.  Oops, bad photo taking on my part!

What do you think?  Fan of this look?  Something you would try?

I hope that all my followers who celebrate Thanksgiving have an AMAZING day with family and friends.  Eat lots of turkey and prepare yourselves for Black Friday!!!

Until next time, <3.

China Glaze

Twinsie Tuesday: Shattered Glass

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  It's snowing here!  It's about time my new tires get some use.  I was starting to think I could get one more winter out of the old ones.  I'm so thankful I bought them because I really would have skid off the road for sure last night.

It's Tuesday which means it is time for another Twinsie Tuesday!!  This week we are sharing shattered glass manicures.  Now, usually this design is done using cellophane, but I didn't have any of that, so I had to improvise.  It came to me that stained glass windows are created using pieces of shattered glass.  Right?  Maybe?

Regardless, I decided to do a stained glass manicure.  After looking around pinterest, I found this gorgeous design by Miss Bella Tracy and I decided to re-create it.

Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • China Glaze - Assorted Neons
  • Nine Zero Lacquer - Holo All the Things
  • Orly - Instant Artist Black

So I didn't do a typical sponge gradient for this manicure!  Instead, I did a dry brush!  Meaning, I started with a purple polish and dry brushed it over white, then did the same with the other colors down the rest of the nail.  When I added a top coat it blended it together and it looked like I did a sponged gradient!  Honestly creating a gradient this way took a lot less time and clean up versus the typical gradient.  I'm sure though I wouldn't be able to do it for all designs, but I might try it again in the near future!


Once my gradient was complete, I added a top coat of Holo All The Things by Nine Zero Lacquer.  I am so happy to have a holo topper in my collection!  Now I will literally be holo-ing all the things!  The top coat dried kind of matte, so after I did my stained glass lines, I added a topper of INM Out the Door.  This made the whole manicure shine and sparkle.

What do you think?  Fan of this look?  Pass for shattered glass?

Don't forget to check out the other Twinsies!


Amanda at Amandalandish
Amanda at Fashion Footing
Amber at Nails Like Lace
Chelsea at Nailed Blog
Claire at Kerruticles
Marisa at Polish Obsession
Marisa at Polish Those Nails
Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les
Savannah at Addicted to Polish
Sharon at Behind Green Eyes
Steph at Lovestruck Lacquer

Until next time, <3.

FingerPaints

Fall Leaf Nail Art

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  It's Sunday meaning the weekend is close to over.  It's also midway through November which means Fall is close to over as well.  It feels like Fall has been dragging on because usually by now we have our first snowfall, even if it is just a trace.

Since Fall is still hanging around a little bit longer, I decided to do a Fall themed manicure.  After looking around Instagram, I came across this gorgeous leaf manicure by @badgirlnails.  I wanted to re-create it, but I was very apprehensive because in all the years I have been blogging, I have not mastered the glitter gradient.  Search the blog, you will not find a single glitter gradient because they just never work out for me.

Amazingly enough, I figured it out for this manicure, and I couldn't have been happier!  Let's take a look!




Colors Used:
  • FingerPaints - Tye Die Tangerine
  • FingerPaints - Paper Mache
  • FingerPaints - Wrapped in Ribbon
  • Salon Perfect - Champagne Toast
Kind of pretty, right?  I really love Tye Die Tangerine!  Two coats and full coverage of a fun orange polish!  And it looks even more amazing with that top coat of Champagne Toast by Salon Perfect.  This polish is the gold sister of China Glaze Fairy Dust.  Right down to that strong smell that Fairy Dust has.  It reminds me of my beloved Northern Lights in gold, which was lost in a tragic Melmer accident a few months ago.  I really was upset when that broke, but happy I found a replacement within my own collection!



Now for the glitter gradient!  I started off with a base of white polish.  When it was dried, I took a make up sponge and did a gradient using white and a metallic gold polish.  I then went through with the glitter on the make up sponge and dabbed it on over the metallic part of the gradient.  So even if the glitter didn't fully cover the bottom of the nail, the gold color still was there so it looked opaque.

What do you think?  Fan of this manicure?  Think I should try more glitter gradients??

 If I were going to re-do this manicure, I would probably make my leaf a little smaller on my ring finger.  I feel like it took over the nail.  Oh well!

Until next time, <3.